Euphemisms and dysphemisms: in search of a boundary line

Abstract

Straightforward remarks may sometimes be regarded as either an offence or an indelicacy. That is the reason why, to avoid the danger of being perceived vulgar or illmannered, language users prefer to employ a range of so-called concealing mechanisms available in any natural language, such as a euphemism or a dysphemism. This article is an attempt to explore the tremendously thin boundary line between the two concepts, as well as to provide examples of both.